Stamp material, stamp making method using the stamp material and stamp manufactured by the stamp making method

ABSTRACT

There are provided a stamp material from which a stamp can be simply made and which, in particular, permits the unexposed portion of a photoconductive resin to be easily removed in a making process, a stamp making method and a stamp. The stamp material comprises a face of a seal forming member having a photosensitive resin which is changed from a liquid to a solid in response to a received light and a stamp stock for holding the face of a seal forming member. With this arrangement, the portion of the photoconductive resin to which a light is irradiated is cured and adhered to the stamp stock and the portion thereof to which the light is not irradiated flows out or can be simply exfoliated without being cured.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a stamp material suitable for simplyobtaining a seal having a desired print of seal, a stamp and the like.Further, the present invention relates to a stamp making method usingthe stamp material and a stamp obtained by the method.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, there is commercially available an apparatus called aseal making apparatus or a stamp making apparatus by which seals andstamps such rubber stamps and the like (which are referred to as"stamps" as a whole in the specification) can be easily made even bypersons other than specialists. A stamp material used to theseapparatuses is composed of a face of a seal forming member and a stampstock for holding it and they are prepared as separate members. The faceof a seal forming member is composed of a base member and an ultravioletrays curing resin secured to the base member and a face of a seal isformed by the ultraviolet rays curing resin. Although the ultravioletrays curing resin has a predetermined hardness and brittleness in asteady state, the resin has such a property that when the resin isirradiated with ultraviolet rays, it has an increased hardness and isprovided with toughness. Although the ultraviolet rays curing resin issoluble to water in the steady state it is made insoluble to water bybeing irradiated with the ultraviolet rays.

When a stamp is made using the stamp material, there is previouslyprepared a negative film to which a desired image of a seal isphotographed by making use of an exposure unit of the apparatus andultraviolet rays are exposed to the ultraviolet rays curing resin of thestamp material using the negative film as a mask. Since the portion ofthe ultraviolet rays curing resin corresponding to the image of the sealis cured by the exposure, the uncured portion of the ultraviolet rayscuring resin is scraped off and washed away in water by a brush. It ispreferable to irradiate ultraviolet rays to the ultraviolet rays curingresin again to thereby stabilize the face of a seal and thereafter thestamp is finished by mounting the face of a seal forming member on astamp stock.

In the above conventional stamp making method, however, even the uncuredportion of the ultraviolet rays curing resin has a predeterminedhardness and brittleness, even if the uncured portion is washed awaywhile being softened in water, a long time is needed as well as acomplex job is required to perfectly wash away the uncured portion up toits minute parts. Moreover, when there is also a problem that the curedportion may be damaged by being excessively rubbed with the brush or thelike when a worker is not accustomed with the job and further there is apossibility that the rough surface of the cured portion to which ink isto be adhered (through which ink is placed on the face of the sealwithout being shed) may be ground smoothly.

Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a stamp materialwhich permits the uncured portion of a photosensitive resin cured by alight to be simply removed without the need of skill while remaining thecured portion thereof without damaging it, a stamp making method usingthe stamp material and a stamp manufactured by the stamp making method.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

An invention of a stamp material of claim 1 is characterized by a faceof a seal forming member having a photosensitive resin which is changedfrom a liquid to a solid in response to a received light and a stampstock for holding the face of a seal forming member. According to thearrangement, the photoconductive resin is the liquid before it isirradiated with the light and changed to the solid after the light isirradiated. Thus, when a face of a seal is arranged by subjecting theportion of the photoconductive resin corresponding to the image of aprint of seal, the portion of the face of the seal is cured and theportion other than the face of the seal flows out. As a result, theportion other than the face of the seal can be easily removed from theportion of the face of the seal. Note, the "stamp stock" is a generallyused name and does not indicate the material thereof and is usuallycomposed of resin, metal or wood.

Preferably, the face of a seal forming member includes a cover memberfor forming a filling space capable of being filled with thephotosensitive resin in a water tight state between the face of a sealforming member and the stamp stock and the cover member is composed of alight transmitting material and detachably attached to the stamp stock.According to the arrangement, before the face of the seal is arranged bythe execution of an exposure, the liquid photoconductive resin isproperly held to the stamp stock by the cover member without flowing outand after the face of the seal is arranged by the execution of theexposure, the portion other than the face of the seal is caused to flowout by the removal of the cover member.

Preferably, the face of a seal forming member further includes a lightshading cap member detachably covering the cover member. According tothe arrangement, since the photoconductive resin is shaded by the capmember when the stamp material is transported or stored, the liquidphotoconductive resin is neither cured nor deteriorated.

Preferably, the contact surface of the stamp stock and the contactsurface of the cover member are arranged such that the adhering force ofthe photosensitive resin having changed to the solid to the contactsurface of the stamp stock is greater than that of the photoconductiveresin to the contact surface of the cover member. According to thearrangement, when the face of the seal is arranged by executing theexposure and the cover member is removed, a portion corresponding to thecured face of the seal remains by being securely adhered to the stampstock.

In the invention of the stamp member of claim 1, the face of a sealforming member is preferably held by the stamp stock through a lighttransmitting filling vessel filled with the photoconductive resin in awater tight state and the filling vessel includes a vessel base portionattached to the stamp stock and a vessel main body detachable from thevessel base portion. According to the arrangement, before the face ofthe seal is arranged by the execution of an exposure, the liquidphotoconductive resin is properly held to the stamp stock by the fillingvessel without flowing out and after the face of the seal is arranged bythe execution of the exposure, the portion other then the face of theseal is caused to flow out by the removal of the vessel main body.Further, the filling vessel permits the photoconductive resin to behandled easily.

Preferably, the light is ultraviolet rays and the photoconductive resinis composed of an ultraviolet rays curing resin. According to thearrangement, since the liquid photoconductive resin is difficult to becured by a usual room light or the like, it can be easily handled.

Preferably, an elastic member is interposed between a stamp. Accordingto the arrangement, when the stamp material is finished as a stamp, thestamp is provided with excellent operability and feeling of operation.

An invention of a stamp material of claim 13 is characterized by a faceof a seal forming member having a photosensitive resin which is changedfrom a gel to a solid in response to a received light and a stamp stockfor holding the face of a seal forming member. According to thearrangement, the uncured portion of the photoconductive resin other thenthe face of the seal can be easily removed by being exfoliated whileremaining the portion of the cured face of the seal. Moreover, notrouble is caused to the handling of the stamp material even if there isno cover and vessel to be filled with the photoconductive resin.

An invention of a stamp making method of claim 18 executed by using astamp material comprising a face of a seal forming member having aphotosensitive resin which is changed from a liquid to a solid inresponse to a received light and a stamp stock for holding the face of aseal forming member is characterized by an exposing step for subjectingthe photoconductive resin to an exposure having a shape corresponding tothe image of a print of seal and changing the exposed portion of thephotoconductive resin from the liquid to the solid and a removing stepfor removing the unexposed portion of the photoconductive resin whileremaining the exposed portion changed to the solid. According to thearrangement, since the unexposed portion of the photoconductive resinremains in the state of the liquid, the unexposed portion can be simplyremoved by being caused to flow out.

Preferably, the exposing step executes the exposure using a negativefilm on which the image of the print of seal is formed as a mask.According to the arrangement, the portion of the photoconductive resincorresponding to the image of the print of seal can be properly exposedto a light as well as the exposure can be executed by a simplearrangement of an apparatus.

An invention of a stamp making method of claim 21 executed by using astamp material comprising a face of a seal forming member having aphotosensitive resin which is changed from a gel to a solid in responseto a received light and a stamp stock for holding the face of a seal,forming member is characterized by an exposing step for subjecting thephotoconductive resin to an exposure having a shape corresponding to theimage of a print of seal and changing the exposed portion from the gelto the solid and a removing step for removing the unexposed portion ofthe photoconductive resin while remaining the exposed portion changed tothe solid. According to the arrangement, since the unexposed portion ofthe photoconductive resin remains in the state of the gel, the unexposedportion can be simply removed by being exfoliated.

An invention of a stamp of claim 24 is characterized in that a face of aseal is composed of a photoconductive resin which is changed from aliquid to a solid by being subjected to an exposure having a shapecorresponding to the image of a print of seal. According to thearrangement, the stamp can be simply manufactured.

An invention of a stamp of claim 25 is characterized in that a face of aseal is composed of a photoconductive resin which is changed from a gelto a solid by being subjected to an exposure having a shapecorresponding to the image of a print of seal. According to thearrangement, the stamp can be simply manufactured.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an outside perspective view of a stamp making apparatus towhich a stamp material and a stamp making method according to anembodiment of the present invention are applied;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view partly in cross section showing how acartridge and a stamp making unit are mounted to a ribbon cartridgemounting unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view showing the arrangement of the cartridgemounting unit of FIG. 1 and the ribbon cartridge mounted to thecartridge mounting unit;

FIG. 4 is a plan view in cross section of the stamp making unit to bemounted to the cartridge of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view in cross section showing a second embodiment ofthe stamp making unit;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a third embodiment of thestamp making unit of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a plan view in cross section of the stamp making unit of FIG.6;

FIG. 8 is an arrangement view showing a fourth embodiment of the stampmaking unit of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a view explaining the state that the uncured portion of thestamp making unit of FIG. 8 is removed.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Preferable embodiments of the present invention will be described belowwith reference to drawings.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show the outside arrangement of a stamp makingapparatus to which the present invention can be applied. As shown inthese drawings, the stamp making apparatus 1 is composed of a key inputunit 2 for inputting desired characters, a display unit 3 for displayinginput characters and the like and a ribbon cartridge mounting unit 4.The ribbon cartridge mounting unit 4 includes an open/close lid 4a and arectangular mounting recess 4b formed in the ribbon cartridge mountingunit 4 is exposed by opening the open/close lid 4a. A rectangular ribboncartridge 5 can be mounted to the mounting recess 4b.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ribbon cartridge 5 has a rectangular pocket 5aformed at the center thereof and a stamp making unit 7 as a stampmaterial is mounted to the pocket 5a. An ink ribbon and a print paperribbon to be described later are contained in the ribbon cartridge 5escaped from the pocket 5a.

Next, the arrangements of the ribbon cartridge mounting unit 4 and theribbon cartridge 5 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. Theribbon cartridge 5 includes an unwinding reel 53 for unwinding the inkribbon 52 and a winding reel 58 for winding the ink ribbon 52 which areaccommodated in a cartridge case 51 having a certain thickness andfurther includes a print paper reel 55 for unwinding the print paperribbon 54. The ink ribbon 52 is unwound from the unwinding reel 53,introduced to a printing position 57 by being guided by a guide 56 andthe like, further introduced along a case inner peripheral wall 51b froman exposure position 60 and wound around the winding reel 58. Note, thewinding reel 58 has a drive shaft disposed on the mounting recess 54side of the ribbon cartridge mounting unit 4 and the winding reel 58 isengaged with the drive shaft by mounting the ribbon cartridge 5 to themounting recess 4b.

On the other hand, the print paper ribbon 54 is unwound from the printpaper reel 55, introduced to the printing position 57 in the state thatit is overlapped with the ink ribbon 52 and further introduced to theoutside through a discharge port 51a formed to a side of the cartridgecase 51. A discharge port 4c is also formed to the apparatus main bodyat a position extending from the discharge port 51a so that the printpaper ribbon 54 is fed to the outside of the apparatus through thedischarge port 4c. A manual cutter 4d is disposed in the vicinity of thedischarge port 4c and executes cutting operation when a cutter button 4edisposed at a position adjacent to the cutter 4d is pressed. The printpaper ribbon fed to the outside of the apparatus is cut to apredetermined length by the cutter 4d.

A thermal transfer print head 57a and a platen roller 57b are disposedat the printing position 57 in confrontation with each other. The printhead 57a is disposed on the mounting recess 4b side of the ribboncartridge mounting unit 4 and placed in the rectangular case 51 passingthrough the cartridge case 51 of the ribbon cartridge 5. The platenroller 57b has a roller mounted on the ribbon cartridge 5 side and thedrive shaft thereof is mounted on the mounting recess 4b side. With thisarrangement, when the ribbon cartridge 5 is mounted to the mountingrecess 4b, the print head 57a confronts the platen roller 57b through aminute interval defined therebetween as well as the platen roller 57b isrotatably engaged with the drive shaft thereof.

An exposure position 60 is located at a portion along a side of theinner peripheral wall 51b of the cartridge case 51 and a pair of guides61, 62 are disposed on the both ends of the inner peripheral wall 51b.An ultraviolet rays irradiating light source 63 as an exposure means isdisposed the side of an apparatus main body so that it confronts the inkribbon 53 stretched between the pair of the guides 61, 62 in paralleltherewith. Further, an ultraviolet rays transmitting ribbon press sheet65 is interposed between the ink ribbon 53 and the ultraviolet raysirradiating light source 63 in parallel with the ink ribbon 53.

The ribbon press sheet 65 is disposed on, for example, the mountingrecess 4b side of the stamp making apparatus 1 and when the ribboncartridge 5 is mounted, the ribbon press sheet 65 is located at aposition slightly nearer to the ultraviolet rays irradiating lightsource 63 as compared with the pair of the guides 61, 62 as shown inFIG. 3. The ribbon press sheet 65 is arranged to be moved in parallelwith the pair of the guides 61, 62 by a not shown mechanism. Whenultraviolet rays are exposed, the ink ribbon 53 stretched between theguides 61, 62 is pressed against the stamp making unit 7 side. In thiscase, the pair of the guides 61, 62 can be moved to the stamp makingunit 7 side by a not shown spring or the like so that the parallelmovement of the ribbon press sheet 65 is followed by the movement of thepair of the guides 61, 62.

Since the negative portion of the ink ribbon 53 is pressed against atransparent cover 72 of the stamp making unit 7 to be described later bythe ribbon press sheet 65 in exposure as described above, there is nopossibility that an irradiated light leaks to portions other than anecessary portion. Note, the ribbon press sheet 65 may be a rectangularframe having a rectangular opening defined at the center thereof whichcorresponds to the negative portion in place of the ultraviolet raystransmitting plate as described above.

On the other hand, the stamp making unit 7 mounted to the opening 5aformed to the ribbon cartridge 5 is composed of a stack (stamp stock)71, the transparent cover 72 covering the end surface 71a of the stampstock 71 and a photosensitive resin 73 filled in a sealed space (fillingspace) between the end surface 71a of the stock 71 and the transparentcover 72 as shown in FIG. 4. The photosensitive resin 73 is composed ofa liquid ultraviolet rays curing type resin having a property that it ischanged (cured) from a liquid phase state to a solid phase state byreceiving ultraviolet rays. The stock 71 is composed of resin, wood,metal or the like and acts as a grip of a finished stamp. Thetransparent cover 72 is composed of an ultraviolet rays transmittingresin (acrylic resin) or the like and includes a flat ceiling wall 72aand side walls 72b covering the four sides of the ceiling wall 72a tothereby form a rectangular-prism-shape sealed space between the endsurface 72a of the stock 71 and it. The side walls 72b are inserted intothe end of the stock 71 as well as caused to come into intimate contacttherewith by a seal member or the like.

The end surface 71a of the stock 71 is formed to a rough surface by asurface treatment, a surface machining or the like so that the curedphotosensitive resin 73 has an adhering force much greater than that ofthe resin on the inner peripheral surface of the ceiling wall 72a of thetransparent cover 72. That is, since the inner peripheral surface of thetransparent cover 72 is finished to a smooth surface and the end surface71a of the stock 71 is finished to the rough surface, when thetransparent cover 72 is removed from the stock 71 after thephotosensitive resin 73 is cured, the photosensitive resin 73 remains onthe stock 71 side.

Note, a lid open detection switch 66 for detecting whether theopen/close lid 4a is opened or closed is disposed to the ribboncartridge mounting unit 4 as shown in FIG. 3. Since the lid opendetection switch 66 is associated with the opening/closing operation ofthe open/close lid 4a, when the open/close lid 4a is opened, theultraviolet rays irradiating light source 63 is automatically turnedoff. With this arrangement, even if the open/close lid 4b is opened bymistake in the exposure of ultraviolet rays, or the like, since theultraviolet rays irradiating light source 63 is automatically turnedoff, ultraviolet rays do not leak to the outside.

Next, a sequence for making a stamp by the stamp making apparatus 1 ofthe embodiment arranged as described above will be described.

First, a person for making the stamp opens the open/close lid 4a of theribbon cartridge mounting unit 4 and mounts the ribbon cartridge 5 tothe mounting recess 4b. Further, the person mounts the stamp making unit7 to the opening 5a of the thus mounted ribbon cartridge 5 andthereafter closes the open/close lid 4a.

Next, the person inputs the characters of the print of seal (an image ofseal) to be made through the key input unit 2. Since a group of theinput characters is displayed on the display unit 3, it can be confirmedwhether desired characters are input or not. After the group of thedesired characters is input, print operation is instructed through thekey input unit 2. With this instruction, a ribbon transfer/drivemechanism and a print control mechanism contained in the apparatus mainbody are operated and the ink ribbon 52 and the print paper ribbon 54start to be fed as well as the heating body of the print head 57a isdriven, so that print operation is executed to the ink ribbon 52 and theprint paper ribbon 53 passing through the printing position 57.

As a result, although the characters of the print of seal are printed tothe print paper ribbon 54 passing through the printing position 57, theink of the ink ribbon 52 corresponding to the portion of the charactersof the print of seal is transferred onto the print paper ribbon 54 anddisappears from the ink ribbon 52. That is, the characters of the printof seal are printed to the print paper ribbon 54 and a negative film isformed to the portion of the ink ribbon 52 which corresponds to thecharacters of the print of seal and provided with an ultraviolet raystransmitting property. Thereafter, the print paper ribbon 54 isdischarged to the outside of the apparatus through the discharge ports51a, 4c and cut to a predetermined length by the cutter 4d. On the otherhand, the ink ribbon 52 is further fed forward and stopped when thenegative film formed portion thereof reaches the exposure position 60.

When the negative film formed portion of the ink ribbon 52 reaches theexposure position 60, the ribbon press sheet 65 makes a parallelmovement first to cause the negative film formed portion of the inkribbon 52 stretched between the pair of the guides 61, 62 to come intointimate contact with the surface of the transparent cover 72 of thestamp making unit 7. Thereafter, the ultraviolet rays irradiating lightsource 63 is turned on and the photosensitive resin 73 sealed in thestamp making unit 7 is exposed to ultraviolet rays for a predeterminedperiod of time through the transparent cover 72 using the negative filmportion of the ink ribbon 52 as a mask. With this operation, the exposedportion of the photosensitive resin 73 is cured and changed from aliquid to a solid as well as an uncured portion remains unchanged as thea liquid. Thus, the cured portion corresponding to the characters of theprint of seal is formed to the photosensitive resin 73. Then, after thecompletion of the exposure, the ribbon press sheet 65 retracts to itsinitial position again. As a result, the pair of the guides 61, 62 alsoreturn to their initial position.

Thereafter, the operator opens the open/close lid 4a and takes out thestamp making unit 7 from the mounting recess 4b. Then, the operatorremoves the transparent cover 72 from the stamp making unit 7. Since theadhering force of the photosensitive resin 73 to the transparent cover72 is much smaller than that of the photosensitive resin 73 to the endsurface 71a of the stock 71, the photosensitive resin 73 remains in thestate that it is adhered to the stock 71 and only the transparent cover72 can be simply removed. When the transparent cover 72 is removed, theunexposed portion of the photosensitive resin 73 naturally flows out andonly the cured portion remains. Note, the uncured portion is perfectlyremoved by being washed away with a liquid such as water or the like.

As a result, only the cured portion of the photosensitive resin 73remains, thus a letterpress stamp face (the face of a seal)corresponding to the characters of the print of seal can be obtained. Astamp unit (stamp) to which the letterpress stamp face of the desiredcharacters of the print of seal can be obtained from the stamp makingunit 7 as described above. Note, to display the characters of the printof seal of the stamp unit, the print paper ribbon on which the aforesaidcharacters of the print of seal are printed is attached to the backsurface of the stock 71.

When the stamp making unit 7 of the embodiment is used as describedabove, since the uncured portion is composed of the liquid, a job forwashing away the exposed photosensitive resin 73 can be very simplycarried out in a short time in such a manner as to apply flowing waterto the uncured portion. Further, a disadvantage such as the damage ofthe letterpress stamp face, and the like can be prevented in the washingaway job. Note, although the photosensitive resin 73 which is cured byultraviolet rays is used in the embodiment, it is needless to say thatother photosensitive resins which are curable by a light having awavelength other than that of ultraviolet rays may be used so long asthey are liquids in a steady state.

Further, since the inner peripheral surface of the transparent cover 72is made to the smooth surface and the end surface 71a of the stock 71 ismade to the rough surface in the embodiment, when the transparent cover72 is removed from the stock 71, the photosensitive resin 73 isprevented from being adhered to the transparent cover 72 and removed.Note, the smooth surface finishing and the rough surface finishing ofboth the members may be made by any surface treatment or surfacemachining so long as they are treated to cause the photosensitive resin73 to securely remain on the stock 71 side.

Although the end of the transparent cover 72 is joined to the stock 71by a seal member or the like so that they are in intimate contact witheach other as a structure for sealing the a liquid photosensitive resin73 in the embodiment, the seal structure may be achieved by methodsother than the above. For example, the periphery of the transparentcover 72 may be sealed using an adhesive tape. The leakage of thephotosensitive resin 73 may be prevented by adjusting the viscosity ofthe photosensitive resin 73 to be sealed itself in place of the aboveseal structures or in combination therewith.

Further, since the transparent cover 72 with which the liquidphotosensitive resin 73 is filled is composed of a material having agood ultraviolet rays transmitting property and a low refraction factorin the embodiment, there can be obtained the letterpress stamp facehaving the print of seal of high quality without the deformation(expansion toward a lower portion, thinning) of a convex portion, andthe like.

Next, another embodiment of the stamp making unit will be described withreference to FIG. 5. A stamp making unit 31 of the embodiment has avessel 33 filled with a photosensitive resin 32 and mounted to a stock34 through the vessel 33. The vessel 33 is composed of a base portion33a secured to the end surface 34a of the stock 34 and a vessel mainbody 33b detachably mounted to the base portion 33a. The vessel mainbody 33b is used in place of the above transparent cover and composed ofa resin or the like having a good ultraviolet rays transmittingproperty. Further, the inner surface of the vessel main body 33b issmoothly finished and the surface of the base portion 33a is roughlyfinished.

The photosensitive resin 73 is exposed to a light using the negativefilm portion of an ink ribbon 52 as a mask also in this case. With thisoperation, the exposed portion of the photosensitive resin 73 is curedand changed from a liquid to a solid as well as the unexposed portionthereof remains unchanged as the a liquid. When the cured portion isformed to the photosensitive resin 73 in correspondence to thecharacters of a print of seal as described above, the vessel main body33b of the vessel 33 is removed and the uncured portion is perfectlyremoved by being washed away with water.

Since the photosensitive resin 32 is sealed in the vessel 33 in theembodiment, the photosensitive resin 32 can be handled by an improvedmanner.

Still another embodiment of the stamp making unit will be described withreference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. A stamp making unit 11 of the embodimentincludes a rectangular-prism-shaped stamp stock 12 composed of resin,wood, metal or the like. An original image 13 showing the characters ofa print of seal to be formed to the stamp making unit 11 is attached tothe end surface 12a of the stamp stock 12 on the back surface sidethereof and a rubber sheet 14 having a certain thickness is attached toan end surface 12b of the stock 12 on the front side thereof. Further, alight transmitting cover member 15 is attached to the rubber sheet 14 soas to cover the surface 14a thereof.

The cover member 15 is composed of a material having an ultraviolet raystransmitting property and a low refraction factor. The cover member 15has a rectangular shape with an opening defined to the cover member 15side thereof and integrally formed by a ceiling wall 15a and four sidewalls 15b around it. Locking grooves 15c are formed to the innerperipheral surface of the side walls 15b and projections 14b to beengaged with the locking grooves 15c are formed to the outer peripheralsurface of the rubber member 14. When the cover member 15 is attached tothe rubber member 14 so that the locking grooves 15c are engaged withthe projections 14b, the surface 14a of the rubber member 14 confrontsthe ceiling wall 15a of the cover member 15 in parallel with each otherthrough a certain interval defined therebetween so that a sealed space(filling space) 16 having a certain thickness is partitioned and formedbetween the surface 14a of the rubber member 14 and the inner peripheralsurface 15d of the cover member 15 as shown in FIG. 7.

An ultraviolet rays curing type photosensitive resin 17 whose lightreceiving portion is changed from a liquid to a solid is filled in thesealed space 16 in a water tight state. In this case, the surface 14a ofthe rubber member 14 is finished to a rough surface by honing or thelike, whereas the inner peripheral surface 15d of the transparent covermember 15 is smoothly finished. Thus, when the photosensitive resin 17is exposed and cured, the adhering force of the photosensitive resin 17to the rubber member 14 is much greater than that to the cover member15.

Further, a light shading cap member 18 is detachably mounted to thecover member 15. When the stamp making unit 11 is transported or stored,the photosensitive resin 17 can be prevented from being cured bymounting the cap member 18.

When a stamp is made by the stamp making unit 11, there are employed astamp making apparatus provided with an image reading mechanism forreading the original image 13, a negative film making mechanism formaking a negative film of a read image, and an exposure mechanism forexposing the photosensitive resin 17 using the negative film. Thenegative film making mechanism and the exposure mechanism are arrangedsimilarly to those of the above embodiments. Further, the image readingmechanism can be simply arranged using one-dimensional sensor such as aCCD or the like.

In this case, a person for making the stamp prepares the stamp makingunit 11 to which the original image 13, on which desired characters of aprint of seal is drawn, is attached. Then, the original image 13 is readand a negative film portion corresponding to it is formed to an inkribbon 52. Next, the photosensitive resin 17 sealed in the stamp makingunit 11 is exposed for a predetermined period of time by the exposuremechanism through the transparent cover member 15 using the negativefilm portion as a mask. As a result, the exposed portion of thephotosensitive resin 17 is cured and changed from the liquid to thesolid. Further, an unexposed portion remains unchanged as the liquid. Asa result, the cured portion is formed to the photosensitive resin 17 incorrespondence to the characters of the print of seal.

Thereafter, the transparent cover member 15 is removed from the stampmaking unit 11. When the cover member 15 is removed, the unexposedportion flows out and only the cured portion remains. Further, theuncured portion is perfectly washed away and removed. With thisoperation, only the cured portion of the photosensitive resin 17 remainsand a letterpress stamp face corresponding to the characters of theprint of seal can be obtained. A stamp unit (stamp) to which theletterpress stamp face of the desired characters of the print of seal isformed can be obtained from the stamp making unit 11 by the method asdescribed above.

The stamp making unit 11 of the embodiment can achieve the sameadvantage as that of the above stamp making units 7, 31.

This embodiment is advantageous in that operability and feeling inoperation are improved when the stamp is affixed because the rubbermember 14 is inserted between the stock 12 and the photosensitive resin17. However, the sealed space 16 to be filled with the photoconductiveresin 17 may be defined between the end surface 12b of the stock 12 andthe cover member 15 omitting the rubber member. Further, although theprojections 14b formed to the outer peripheral surface of the rubbermember 14 are used as the seal mechanism of the photosensitive resin 17,the seal mechanism may be made by methods other than the above. Forexample, a seal material or the like may be applied to the portion ofthe transparent cover member 5 to be joined to the rubber member 14.

Further, since the light shading cap member 18 is mounted in theembodiment, even if the stamp making unit 11 is stored for a long time,the photosensitive resin 17 can be prevented from being cured ordeteriorated by being exposed to a light.

Next, a further embodiment of the stamp making unit of the presentinvention will be described with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9. A stampmaking unit 21 of the embodiment is composed of a stock 22 and anultraviolet rays curing type photosensitive resin 23 attached to an endof the stock 22. The embodiment has a feature that the photosensitiveresin 23 is not a liquid but a gel which is in an intermediate statebetween a liquid and a solid and has a viscosity necessary to maintainits configuration.

In the stamp making unit 21, the photosensitive resin 23 is exposed to alight and partially cured using a negative film corresponding to thecharacters of a print of seal. After the photosensitive resin 23 iscured, the uncured portion 23a of the photosensitive resin 23 isseparated from the cured portion 23b thereof by being exfoliatedtherefrom as shown in FIG. 9. With this operation, a letterpress stampface 24 composed of the cured portion can be obtained.

Since the uncured portion 23a can be separated from the cured portion23b by being exfoliated therefrom in the stamp making unit 21 of theembodiment as described above, a washing away job using a fluid or thelike is not needed. Further, a cover, a vessel and the like for sealingthe photosensitive resin 23 are not necessary, the number of parts canbe reduced accordingly.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, the stamp material, the stamp making method and thestamp of the present invention are suitable for very simply making astamp having an excellent face of a seal without the need of skill.

We claim:
 1. A stamp material comprising:a face of a seal forming memberhaving a liquid photosensitive resin which is changeable to a solid inresponse to a received light; a cover member including a lighttransmitting member detachably attached to said stamp stock; and a stampstock for holding said face of a seal forming member.
 2. A stampmaterial according to claim 1, wherein said face of a seal formingmember further includes a light shading member detachably shielding saidcover member.
 3. A stamp material according to claim 1, wherein acontact surface of said stamp stock and a contact surface of said covermember are arranged such that an adhering force of said photosensitiveresin having changed to a solid to said contact surface of said stampstock is greater than that of said photosensitive resin to said contactsurface of said cover member.
 4. A stamp material according to claim 3,wherein said face of a seal forming member further includes a lightshading member for detachably shielding said cover member.
 5. A stampmaterial according to claim 1, wherein an elastic member is interposedbetween said stamp stock and said face of a seal forming member.
 6. Astamp material according to claim 5, wherein said face of a seal formingmember further includes a light shading member detachably shielding saidcover member.
 7. A stamp material according to claim 1, wherein saidface of a seal forming member is fixed to said stamp stock through alight transmitting filling vessel filled with said photosensitive resinin a water tight state and said filling vessel includes a vessel baseportion attached to said stamp stock and a vessel main body detachablefrom said vessel base portion.
 8. A stamp material according to claim 7,wherein said face of a seal forming member further includes a lightshading member for detachably shielding said vessel main body.
 9. Astamp material according to claim 7, wherein a contact surface of saidvessel base portion and a contact surface of said vessel main body arearranged such that an adhering force of said photosensitive resin havingbeen changed to a solid to said contact surface of said vessel baseportion is greater than that of said photosensitive resin to saidcontact surface of said vessel main body.
 10. A stamp material accordingto claim 9, wherein said face of a seal forming member further includesa light shading member for detachably shielding said vessel main body.11. A stamp material according to claim 7, wherein an elastic member isinterposed between said stamp stock and said face of a seal formingmember.
 12. A stamp material according to claim 11, wherein said face ofa seal forming member further includes a light shading member fordetachably shielding said vessel main body.
 13. A stamp materialaccording to claim 1, wherein said light comprises ultraviolet rays andsaid photosensitive resin comprises an ultraviolet rays curing resin.14. A stamp material according to claim 13, wherein an elastic member isinterposed between said stamp stock and said face of a seal formingmember.
 15. A stamp material according to claim 1, wherein an elasticmember is interposed between said stamp stock and said face of a sealforming member.
 16. A stamp material according to claim 1 wherein saidface of a seal forming member further includes a cover member forforming a filling space capable of being filled with said liquidphotosensitive resin in a water tight state between said face of a sealforming member and said stamp stock.
 17. A stamp material, comprising:aface of a seal forming member having a gel photosensitive resin which ischangeable to a solid in response to a received light; a light shadingmember for detachably shielding said photosensitive resin; and a stampstock for holding said face of a seal forming member.
 18. A stampmaterial according to claim 17, wherein an elastic member is interposedbetween said stamp stock and said face of a seal forming member.
 19. Astamp material according to claim 17, wherein said light comprisesultraviolet rays and said photosensitive resin comprises an ultravioletrays curing resin.
 20. A stamp material according to claim 19, whereinan elastic member is interposed between said stamp stock and said faceof a seal forming member.
 21. A stamp material according to claim 17,wherein an elastic member is interposed between said stamp stock andsaid face of a seal forming member.
 22. A stamp making method executedby using a stamp material comprising a face of a seal forming memberhaving a liquid photosensitive resin which is changeable to a solid inresponse to a received light and a stamp stock for holding said face ofa seal forming member comprising:a bonding step for securing said sealforming member to said stamp stock; an exposing step for subjecting saidliquid photosensitive resin to an exposure having a shape correspondingto an image of a print of a seal and changing an exposed portion of saidliquid photosensitive resin to a solid, said exposing step occurringafter said bonding step; and a removing step for removing an unexposedportion of said liquid photosensitive resin while leaving said exposedportion changed to a solid.
 23. A stamp making method according to claim22, wherein said exposing step executes said exposure using a negativefilm on which an image of said print of a seal is formed as a mask. 24.A stamp making method according to claim 23, wherein said exposure isexecuted using ultraviolet rays and said photosensitive resin comprisesultraviolet rays curing resin.
 25. A stamp making method according toclaim 22, wherein said exposure is executed using ultraviolet rays andsaid photosensitive resin comprises an ultraviolet rays curing resin.26. A stamp making method according to claim 22 wherein said face of aseal forming member further includes a cover member for forming afilling space capable of being filled with said liquid photosensitiveresin in a water tight state between said face of a seal forming memberand said stamp stock.
 27. A stamp making method executed by using astamp material comprising a face of a seal forming member having a gelphotosensitive resin which is changeable to a solid in response to areceived light and a stamp stock for holding said face of a seal formingmember, comprising:a bonding step for securing said seal forming memberto said stamp stock; an exposing step for subjecting said gelphotosensitive resin to an exposure having a shape corresponding to animage of a print of a seal and changing an exposed portion of said gelphotosensitive resin to a solid, said exposing step occurring after saidbonding step; and a removing step for removing an unexposed portion ofsaid gel photosensitive resin while leaving said exposed portion changedto a solid.
 28. A stamp making method according to claim 27, whereinsaid exposing step executes said exposure using a negative film on whichan image of said print of a seal is formed as a mask.
 29. A stamp makingmethod according to claim 28, wherein said exposure is executed usingultraviolet rays and said photosensitive resin comprises an ultravioletrays curing resin.
 30. A stamp making method according to claim 27,wherein said exposure is executed using ultraviolet rays and saidphotosensitive resin comprises an ultraviolet rays curing resin.
 31. Astamp making method according to claim 27 wherein said face of a sealforming member further includes a light shading member detachablyshielding said gel photosensitive resin.
 32. A stamp having a face of aseal comprising a photosensitive resin which is changed from a liquid toa solid by being subjected to an exposure having a shape correspondingto an image of a print of a seal, said face of a seal being secured to astamp stock when said photosensitive resin is said liquid and saidsolid.
 33. A stamp having a face of a seal comprising a photosensitiveresin which is changed from a gel to a solid by being subjected to anexposure having a shape corresponding to an image of a print of a seal,said face of a seal being secured to a stamp stock when saidphotosensitive resin is said gel and said solid.